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=== Train maintenance depots ===
=== Train maintenance depots ===
TfW Rail's current fleet is stored and maintained at the following depots.
TfW Rail's current fleet is stored and maintained at the following depots.
* [[Cardiff Canton TMD|Cardiff Canton]]: {{brc|142}}, {{brc|143}}, {{brc|150}}, {{brc|153}}, {{brc|170}} and {{brc|769}} units, and [[British Rail Class 67|locomotive-hauled]] [[British Rail Mark 4|trains]]. Also a stabling point for 158s and 175s.
* [[Cardiff Canton TMD|Cardiff Canton]]: {{brc|143}}, {{brc|150}}, {{brc|153}}, {{brc|170}} and {{brc|769}} units, and [[British Rail Class 67|locomotive-hauled]] [[British Rail Mark 4|trains]]. Also a stabling point for 158s and 175s.
* [[Chester TMD|Chester]] ([[Alstom]]): {{brc|175}} units (main)
* [[Chester TMD|Chester]] ([[Alstom]]): {{brc|175}} units (main)
* Machynlleth: {{brc|158}} units (main)
* Machynlleth: {{brc|158}} units (main)

Revision as of 03:17, 13 December 2020

This article is about the train operating company. For the government-owned regulating body, see Transport for Wales. For the former train operator, see Arriva Trains Wales.

  • Transport for Wales
  • Trafnidiaeth Cymru
A Class 175 Coradia at Hereford
Overview
Franchise(s)
Main region(s)Wales
Other region(s)
Stations operated247[2]
Parent company
Reporting markAW[1]
PredecessorArriva Trains Wales
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Other
Website

KeolisAmey Operations (Template:Lang-cy)[3], trading as Transport for Wales Rail Services (TfW Rail Services) is a Welsh train operating company owned by Keolis (60%) and Amey (40%) that operates the Wales and Borders franchise.

The government body Transport for Wales (commercially separate from the train operating company) awarded the contract for the Wales and Borders franchise to KeolisAmey in 2018 which commenced rail operations on 14 October 2018.[4] KeolisAmey uses the brand names Transport for Wales and TfW Rail (Template:Lang-cy[5] and TrC Trenau),[6] which are owned by the Welsh Government, for day-to-day operations. The Welsh Government will nationalise the franchise on 7 February 2021, transferring operations to a Welsh government-owned operator, although KeolisAmey will continue to provide a minor role in the franchise.[7]

History

Passenger journeys on the Wales & Borders franchise from 2010–11 to 2018–19.[8]

In October 2016 four bids were shortlisted for the next Wales & Borders franchise: Abellio, the incumbent operator Arriva, a Keolis/Amey joint venture, and MTR Corporation.[9][10]

In October 2017, Arriva withdrew from the bidding process, followed in February 2018 by Abellio, after the collapse of its partner Carillion.[11][12][13][14] In May 2018, the franchise was awarded to KeolisAmey Wales. It commenced on 14 October 2018 and runs for 15 years.[15]

Unlike the previous franchise, which was awarded by the Department for Transport, the new franchise was awarded by Transport for Wales, on behalf of the Welsh Government.[10]

As of January 2020 Keolis Amey has been fined £2.3 million by the Welsh government for poor performance of rail services.[16] The company is also expected to be criticised by the Welsh Language Commissioner later in 2020 for reportedly breaking legislation on Welsh language provision six times since taking over the franchise in 2018.[17] TfW Rail told the BBC that it did not believe any rules had been broken.[17] Complaints included that Welsh was given lesser treatment on self-service machines, websites, and on the mobile app, that correspondence was not issued fully in Welsh, that train tickets were printed only in English, and that station and train announcements were not always made bilingually.[17]

With a collapse in revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic having made the original franchise financially unviable, on 7 February 2021 the franchise will be taken over by the Welsh Governments's operator of last resort, Transport for Wales Rail, a subsidiary of Transport for Wales with KeolisAmey having an involvement in delivering some key projects.[18][19][20]

Services

Typical TfW weekday off-peak service is as follows:[21]

North Wales Coast Line
Route tph Calling at Class
Cardiff Central to Holyhead 8tpd Newport, Cwmbran, Pontypool & New Inn, Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominster (3tpd), Ludlow (7tpd), Craven Arms (7tpd), Church Stretton (7tpd), Shrewsbury, Gobowen (7tpd), Chirk (7tpd), Ruabon (7tpd), Wrexham General, Chester, Shotton (4tpd), Flint, Prestatyn (7tpd), Rhyl, Abergele & Pensarn (3tpd), Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction, Conwy (3tpd), Penmaenmawr (3tpd), Llanfairfechan (3tpd), Bangor (7tpd), Llanfairpwll (7tpd), Bodorgan (5tpd), Ty Croes (5tpd), Rhosneigr (5tpd) and Valley (5tpd).
Only 7 tpd terminate in Holyhead as one turns off at Llandudno Junction and terminates at Llandudno, calling at Deganwy en route.		 175
1tpd Newport, Cwmbran (Holyhead-bound only), Pontypool (Holyhead-bound only), Abergavenny (Holyhead-bound only), Hereford, Ludlow (Cardiff-bound only), Shrewsbury, Wrexham General, Chester, Flint, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction and Bangor
0534 from Holyhead and 1716 from Cardiff Central is the Premier Service which calls at fewer stops and has 1st class accommodation available with meals included.		 67
Birmingham International to Holyhead 1tp2h Birmingham New Street, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Wolverhampton, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Gobowen, Chirk, Ruabon, Wrexham General, Chester, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction, Conwy, Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan and Bangor 158
Manchester Airport to Llandudno 1 East Didsbury, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Oxford Road, Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown, Warrington Bank Quay, Runcorn East, Frodsham, Helsby, Chester, Shotton, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Abergele & Pensarn, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction and Deganwy
6 inter-peak trains each day begin/end at the airport, 1 early morning and 2 late evening trains do too, not calling at East Didsbury. Other trains begin at Manchester Piccadilly.		 158, 175
Crewe to Chester 1 shuttle 150, 158
Chester to Liverpool Lime Street 1 Helsby, Frodsham, Runcorn and Liverpool South Parkway
South Wales – Manchester
Route tph Calling at Class
Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly 1tp2h Johnston, Haverfordwest, Clarbeston Road, Clunderwen, Whitland, Carmarthen, Pembrey & Burry Port, Llanelli, Gowerton, Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot Parkway, Bridgend, Cardiff Central, Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Crewe, Wilmslow and Stockport 175
Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly 1tp2h Ferryside, Kidwelly, Pembrey & Burry Port, Llanelli, Gowerton, Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot Parkway, Bridgend, Pencoed, Llanharan, Pontyclun, Cardiff Central, Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Craven Arms, Church Stretton, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Nantwich, Crewe, Wilmslow and Stockport
Fishguard Harbour to Manchester Piccadilly 1tpd Fishguard and Goodwick, Clarbeston Road, Whitland, Carmarthen, Pembrey & Burry Port, Llanelli, Gowerton, Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot Parkway, Bridgend, Pencoed, Llanharan, Pontyclun, Cardiff Central, Newport, Cwmbran, Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Craven Arms, Church Stretton, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Nantwich, Crewe, Wilmslow and Stockport 150
Cambrian Line
Route tph Calling at Class
Birmingham International to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli 1tp2h Birmingham New Street, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Wolverhampton, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Caersws, Machynlleth...
The two portions divide/attach at Machynlleth.		 158
Aberystwyth portion:
Dovey Junction and Borth		 Pwllheli portion:
Dovey Junction, Penhelig, Aberdovey, Tywyn, Tonfanau, Llwyngwril, Fairbourne, Morfa Mawddach, Barmouth, Llanaber, Talybont, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Llanbedr, Pensarn, Llandanwg, Harlech, Tygwyn, Talsarnau, Llandecwyn, Penrhyndeudraeth, Minffordd, Porthmadog, Criccieth, Penychain and Abererch
Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth - Welshpool, Newtown, Caersws, Machynlleth, Dovey Junction and Borth
Additional trains that run so that there is a service most hours between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth
Heart of Wales Line
Route tpd Calling at Class
Carmarthen to Llandovery 1 Llanelli, Bynea, Llangennech, Pontarddulais, Pantyffynnon, Ammanford, Llandybie, Ffairfach, Llandeilo, Llangadog and Llanwrda 150, 153
Llandrindod to Crewe 1 Pen-y-Bont, Dolau, Llanbister Road, Llangynllo, Knucklas, Knighton, Bucknell, Hopton Heath, Broome, Craven Arms, Church Stretton, Shrewsbury, Yorton, Wem, Prees, Whitchurch, Wrenbury and Nantwich
Swansea to Shrewsbury and Crewe 4 Gowerton, Llanelli, Bynea, Llangennech, Pontarddulais, Pantyffynnon, Ammanford, Llandybie, Ffairfach, Llandeilo, Llangadog, Llanwrda, Llandovery, Cynghordy, Sugar Loaf, Llanwrtyd, Llangammarch, Garth, Cilmeri, Builth Road, Llandrindod, Pen-y-Bont, Dolau, Llanbister Road, Llangynllo, Knucklas, Knighton, Bucknell, Hopton Heath, Broome, Craven Arms and Church Stretton
2tpd extend to/from Crewe, calling at Yorton, Wem, Prees, Whitchurch, Wrenbury and Nantwich
Shrewsbury to Crewe 5 Yorton, Wem, Prees, Whitchurch, Wrenbury and Nantwich
creates an every-2-hours service alongside trains beginning further south
Conwy Valley Line
Route tpd Calling at Class
Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno 6 Roman Bridge, Dolwyddelan, Pont-y-Pant, Betws-y-Coed, Llanrwst, North Llanrwst, Dolgarrog, Tal-y-Cafn, Glan Conwy, Llandudno Junction and Deganwy 150
Borderlands Line
Route tph Calling at Class
Wrexham Central to Bidston 1 Wrexham General, Gwersyllt, Cefn-y-Bedd, Caergwrle, Hope, Penyffordd, Buckley, Hawarden, Shotton, Hawarden Bridge, Neston, Heswall and Upton 150
West Wales Locals
Route tph Calling at Class
Pembroke Dock to Swansea 1tp2h Pembroke, Lamphey, Manorbier, Penally, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Kilgetty, Narberth, Whitland, Carmarthen, Pembrey & Burry Port, and Llanelli 150, 153, 158
Fishguard Harbour to Swansea 1tp2h Fishguard and Goodwick, Clarbeston Road, Clunderwen, Whitland, Camarthen, Pembrey & Burry Port and Llanelli
Swanline
Route tph Calling at Class
Swansea to Cardiff Central 1tp2h Llansamlet, Skewen, Neath, Briton Ferry, Baglan, Port Talbot Parkway, Pyle, Bridgend, Pencoed and Pontyclun 150, 153, 158
West Wales-Gloucestershire Line
Route tph Calling at Class
Maesteg to Cheltenham Spa 1 Maesteg (Ewenny Road), Garth, Tondu, Sarn, Wildmill, Bridgend, Pencoed, Llanharan, Pontyclun, Cardiff Central, Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow, Lydney and Gloucester
Some trains terminate at Cardiff Central, rather than Cheltenham Spa.
doesn't run when Fishguard - Gloucester service runs		 150, 153, 158, 170, 175
Fishguard Harbour to Gloucester 4tpd Fishguard and Goodwick, Clarbeston Road, Clunderwen, Whitland, Carmarthen, Ferryside, Kidwelly, Pembrey & Burry Port, Llanelli, Gowerton, Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot Parkway, Bridgend, Pencoed, Llanharan, Pontyclun, Cardiff Central, Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney
Some trains terminate at Cardiff Central, rather than Gloucester.		 150, 158
Ebbw Valley Railway
Route tph Calling at Class
Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town 1 Pye Corner, Rogerstone, Risca & Pontymister, Crosskeys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth and Ebbw Vale Parkway 150, 153, 158, 170, 175
Rhymney Line
Route tph Calling at Class
Penarth to Bargoed and Rhymney 4 Dingle Road, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath High Level, Llanishen, Lisvane & Thornhill, Caerphilly, Aber, Energlyn & Churchill Park (2tph), Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Pengam, and Gilfach Fargoed (1tph).
1tph extends to Rhymney, calling at Brithdir, Tir-Phil and Pontlottyn		 142, 143, 150
Merthyr & Vale of Glamorgan Lines
Route tph Calling at Class
Bridgend to Aberdare 1 Llantwit Major, Rhoose Cardiff International Airport, Barry, Barry Docks, Cadoxton, Dinas Powys, Eastbrook, Cogan, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Fernhill and Cwmbach 142, 143, 150
Barry Island to Aberdare 1 Barry, Barry Docks, Cadoxton, Dinas Powys, Eastbrook, Cogan, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Fernhill and Cwmbach
Barry Island to Merthyr Tydfil 2 Barry, Barry Docks, Cadoxton, Dinas Powys, Eastbrook, Cogan, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest Estate, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Abercynon, Quakers Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw and Pentre-bach
Rhondda Line
Route tph Calling at Class
Cardiff Central to Treherbert 2 Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Trehafod, Porth, Dinas Rhondda, Tonypandy, Llwynypia, Ystrad Rhondda, Ton Pentre, Treorchy and Ynyswen 142, 143, 150
City & Coryton Lines
Route tph Calling at Class
Radyr to Coryton 2 Danescourt, Fairwater, Waun-gron Park, Ninian Park, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath Low Level, Ty Glas, Birchgrove, Rhiwbina and Whitchurch 142, 143, 153
Butetown Branch Line
Route tph Calling at Class
Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay 5 shuttle 142, 143, 150, 153

Planned improvements

There are plans to improve services between 2018 and 2033 as part of the new franchise:[22][23]

North Wales and North West England[24]

South West and Mid Wales and the Borders[27][28]

South East Wales[23]

Current fleet

Class 143 Pacer at Cardiff Central in 2019 with "These trains will terminate soon" branding

Of its current fleet, TfW Rail inherited the Class 143, 150, 153, 158 and 175 diesel multiple units from Arriva Trains Wales in October 2018, which had been refurbished starting from 2011 and had been fitted with WiFi in 2017.

In 2019 and 2020, some Class 170 units and many more Class 153 units were acquired from some English operators to add to the fleet. These work alongside and with the ex-ATW units, adding capacity and supporting new services.

On 16 November 2020, the first Class 769 unit entered service. Due to heavily delayed introduction, the unit was actually one of the ones ordered under Arriva Trains Wales.

Class 153 Super Sprinters

In April 2019 TfW Rail added 5 153s acquired from Great Western Railway to the 8 it previously had. Four of these entered service the following month, and the fifth returned from works on 5 October 2019 as the first 153 on the whole GB rail network with PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) modifications, and entered service on 21 October 2019.

In October 2019, Porterbrook Leasing Company announced that it will lease a further 9 Class 153 units to TfW Rail for use on a short term basis.[32] These comprise 5 153s from Greater Anglia which were delivered in December 2019 and started to enter service in January 2020, and 4 153s from East Midlands Railway which were delivered in January 2020 and started to enter service in February 2020.

On 5 November 2020, two more 153s transferred from East Midlands Railway to TfW Rail.

It is understood that six 153s from West Midlands Trains will be next to transfer to TfW Rail. On 22 October 2020, two of them had attempted to do so, but they failed en route.

Class 170 Turbostars

In September 2019 Transport for Wales took delivery of the first 3 of 12 Class 170 Turbostar DMUs from Greater Anglia, with 3 more of the units following in November 2019, a further 4 in December 2019 and the last two in January and February 2020 respectively.[33] Driver training had taken place from September 2019.

On 12 December 2019, 3-car 170202 worked TfW Rail's first Class 170-operated passenger services (between Bridgend and Ebbw Vale Town via Cardiff Central), and five units (three 3-car and two 2-car) were in passenger service on 16 December 2019. All units were in service by April 2020, with 3-car 170206 being the last one to enter service.

The units had been refurbished under Greater Anglia and are initially being used by TfW Rail cosmetically unchanged (other than the different operator logos), but as they will be retained for the duration of the franchise, it is planned that they will later receive further refurbishment to TfW Rail specification.

Class 769 Flex units

Nine Class 769 Flex bi-mode multiple units were due to be delivered by 2019,[34] following conversion from Class 319 electric multiple units that were previously in service with Thameslink, by fitting diesel generators and extra electronic equipment to some previously unused below-solebar space.[35]

This work has been delayed for a number of operators who wished to run the Flex units, including Great Western Railway and Northern. The expected delivery date of May was not achieved, and in July 2019 TfW confirmed that regulatory issues with the units were preventing their introduction.[36]

As of 25 August 2020, 8 769s have been delivered, test runs on the Rhymney Line having commenced on 16 March 2020. The first unit to enter service, 769002, eventually did so on 16 November 2020. 769003 followed on 18 November 2020, and then 769006 on 4 December 2020.

Class 143 Pacers

As of April 2019, all of TfW Rail's Class 143 (and former Class 142) Pacer DMUs have had advertising vinyls applied, with the messages 'The start of a new journey', 'The journey is almost over for old trains', and 'These trains will terminate soon', stating rolling stock, infrastructure and service improvements.

These units were intended to be withdrawn and replaced by the 1 January 2020 PRM deadline, but can continue in service until 31 December 2020 (extended from 31 July 2020) under dispensation from law.

The dispensation could have required them to be coupled to PRM compliant units and also could have further limited what routes they can be used on (beyond their line clearance and signed driver depots); it was however decided to not put these restrictions in place as they would not have been practically possible to comply with in TfW Rail's case. [32][37]

Class 150, 153, 158 and 175 DMUs

The rest of TfW Rail's rolling stock (the Class 150, 153, 158 and 175 DMUs), which will be withdrawn and replaced by 2023 (except the "shorter-term" 153s which will be withdrawn sooner), is in the process of undergoing several changes. These include the application of Transport for Wales livery, and TfW Rail specification interior refurbishment (including new seat moquette, floor coverings and table surfaces, as well as AC and USB power sockets).[citation needed]

In addition, the 150s/153s/158s staying until 2022–23 are receiving PRM-TSI (Persons with Reduced Mobility – Technical Specifications for Interoperability) modifications (the 175s exceed the RVAR they were built to and are accepted without modification).

Fleet summary

Trainset Class Image Type Top Speed Carriages Number Routes Operated Built
mph km/h
Locomotive hauled stock
Premier Service 67 Loco 125 200 – 6
  • Currently on test with the Mark 4 carriages
 1999–2000
Diesel multiple units
Pacer 143 DMU 75 121 2 15
  • Valley Lines & Cardiff local routes
 1985–86
Sprinter 150/2 75 121 2 36
  • Valley Lines & Cardiff local routes
  • Heart of Wales/West Wales lines
  • Regional services between South and West Wales, North West and South West England
 1986–87
153 Super Sprinter 1 24 1987–88
158/0 Express Sprinter 90 140 2 24
  • Cambrian line
  • Regional services between South and North Wales, North West and South West England
 1990–91
Bombardier Turbostar 170/2
100 161 2 4
  • Maesteg Line
  • Ebbw Valley Railway
  • South Wales Main Line[38]
 2002
3 8 1999

Alstom Coradia 175/0 & 175/1
100 161 2 11 Regional services between North West England, North and South Wales 1999–2001
3 16

Bi-mode multiple units
Flex 769/0 & 769/4 BMU 100 161 4 8 (3 in service) Valley Lines 2017-2020[nb 1]

Train maintenance depots

TfW Rail's current fleet is stored and maintained at the following depots.

Due to space limitations, Chrysalis Rail currently allows TfW Rail to store any unallocated units or carriages at its Landore TMD in Swansea, even if they are not being worked on. This arrangement has been in place since late 2019.[citation needed]

Past fleet

Train types formerly operated by Transport for Wales Rail Services include:

Class 37-hauled Mark 2 sets

From June 2019 to March 2020, TfW Rail hired two Class 37-hauled Mark 2 sets to temporarily operate rush-hour services between Cardiff and Rhymney to add capacity. From January 2020 they were operating under PRM non-compliance dispensation, but were withdrawn in March due to decreasing reliability and replaced with trains formed of multiple Class 153 railcars coupled together, with many more of those now in the fleet.[32]

Mark 3 sets

In July 2020, all of TfW Rail's Mark 3 stock (which had been inherited from Arriva Trains Wales) went off lease and into storage at Long Marston. [39][40]

Fleet summary

Class Image Type Top Speed Number Routes Operated Withdrawn Built
mph km/h
Locomotive hauled stock
37 Loco 80 129 3 Rhymney Line March 2020 1960–1965
Mark 2 Coach 100 161 10 1963–1975
Mark 3 125 201 12
  • Holyhead–Cardiff Central
  • Holyhead (Llandudno)–Manchester Piccadilly
 July 2020 1975–1988
Driving Van Trailer Control car 3 1988-1990

Future fleet

All of TfW Rail's ATW-inherited and extra temporary fleet is due to be replaced by 2023 (with the exception of the Class 67 locomotives).[41]

Cascades and refurbishments

Class 67-hauled Mark 4 sets

Six Class 67 locomotives have been adapted to work with three sets each comprising four Mark 4 carriages and a Mark 4 Driving Van Trailer, which will replace the Mark 3 stock previously used on locomotive-hauled services. The twelve carriages and three DVTs were able to cascade from London North Eastern Railway, as a result of the introduction of Class 800s on the East Coast Main Line. Testing and training of these sets commenced on 28 January 2020, but it is not yet known when they will enter service. The Mark 4 coaches will retain the Virgin Trains East Coast livery, but with Transport for Wales labels attached. The Mark 4 Driving Van Trailers will be repainted into the new Transport for Wales livery. Four of the six Class 67 locomotives have been repainted into TfW livery.

Class 230 D-Trains

TfW Class 230 on test prior to delivery

The first "new" trains will also join the fleet during 2020 in the form of 5 Class 230 D-Train diesel-battery-electric multiple units, which are being built in England from former London Underground D78 Stock aluminium bodyshells by start-up rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail.[42] The first Class 230 units were delivered to London Northwestern Railway in April 2019, on the Marston Vale Line. The five-month delay for introduction of these services indicated however that the units will also be delayed on the North Wales mainline (they were supposed to be introduced in 2019).

On 9 September 2019, a test unit that was reconfigured to the same configuration as the TfW Rail units commenced test runs in the manufacturer's area, and on 10 April 2020, 230006 was the first TfW Rail unit to undergo testing there. More recently, testing in the area of operation started to occur. The units are currently expected to enter service sometime in 2020.

Orders for 148 brand new units

For the longer term fleet replacement, 148 brand new trains have been ordered. The addition of these trains to the fleet, from 2021–24 but mostly in 2022–23, will allow the 109 (total) Class 150, 153 (13 by then), 158, 175 and 769 units to be withdrawn.

Class 197 Civitys

A total of 77 Class 197 Civity diesel multiple units have been ordered from CAF for long-distance routes. These trains will have end gangways, but fewer toilets than the Class 158 and Class 175 DMUs they replace.[43] They will however be quicker, with more powerful engines and more efficient transmissions for better acceleration, as well as a higher top speed than the 158s.

CAF will undertake fabrication, welding and painting of the Class 197 fleet in their factory in Beasain, Spain. The first Driving Motor carriage vehicle bodyshell had largely passed this stage by 12 February 2020, when it was pictured in the Beasain factory[44]. The painted bodyshells will then be shipped to Newport, South Wales, for further assembly/component-fitment at CAF's new UK factory in Llanwern.[45]

Also, a total of 35 Stadler FLIRT units have been ordered (consisting of 24 Class 756 tri-modes and 11 Class 231 diesel-electrics) along with 36 Class 398 Stadler Citylink tram-trains.[46] These will be manufactured at the Stadler factory in Szolnok, Hungary and assembled at their plant in Bussnang, Switzerland.

Retention of other units/sets

Alongside the brand new fleet, the 12 170s will be retained for the duration of the franchise but will work different routes, including West Wales services, Shrewsbury-Crewe, and the Heart of Wales line (which will depend on the units being cleared to run on it).

The three Mark 4 sets and five Class 230s will also be retained and will remain on the routes they will work from their date of introduction on TfW Rail services.

Fleet summary

Trainset Class Image Type Top Speed Carriages Number Routes Operated Built In Service
mph km/h
Locomotive hauled stock
InterCity 225 Mark 4 Coach 140 225 – 12 North to south inter-city service: Holyhead-Cardiff Central[47] 1989–1992 2020
Driving Van Trailer Control car – 3
Diesel multiple units
CAF Civity 197[48] DMU 100 161 2 51 From 2020 to TBC 2021–23
3 26

Diesel-electric multiple units
Vivarail D-Train 230[49] DEMU 60 97 3 5 2019–2020 2020
Stadler FLIRT 231 100 161 4 11 2021–22 2022
Bi-mode multiple units
Flex 769/4 BMU 100 161 4 1 Valley Lines 2017-2020[nb 2] 2020
Tri-mode multiple units[23]
Stadler FLIRT 756 TMU 100 161 3 7 Services between Caerphilly/Coryton to Penarth[50][51] TBC 2023
4 17 Services between Rhymney to Barry Island/Bridgend via VoG[50][51]

Tram-trains
Stadler Citylink 398 Tram-train TBC 3 36 Services to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil[23] TBC 2022–23

Notes

  1. ^ Class 319/4 units were initially built between 1987 and 1988
  2. ^ Class 319/4 units were initially built between 1987 and 1988

References

  1. ^ "Transport for Wales (AW)". Train Operating Companies. National Rail Enquiries. National Rail. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. ^ Hoppe, Joe (16 September 2019). "Transport for Wales unveil plan to invest in Welsh stations over 15 years". South Wales Argus. Newport: Newsquest. Retrieved 18 February 2020./
  3. ^ "Keolis Amey Operations/Gweithrediadau Keolis Amey Limited". gov.uk. Companies House. Retrieved 15 May 2020. Company number: 11389531
  4. ^ "New £5bn Wales rail franchise starts". BBC News. BBC. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Hafan" [Homeoage]. TrC Trenau [TfW Rail] (in Welsh). Transport for Wales Rail Services. Retrieved 18 February 2020. Darganfod hyd a lled rhwydwaith Trafnidiaeth Cymru. [Find out the full extent of the Transport for Wales network].
  6. ^ Transport for Wales [@transport_wales] (1 October 2018). "Bydd yr ap TrC Trenau ar gael i'w lawrlwytho maes o lawr ar iOS ac Android. Rydym ni'n gwybod y byddwch angen amser i gael trefn arno, felly bydd yr ap presennol yn dal i weithio tan ddiwedd y flwyddyn. #dechrautaith" [The TfW Rail app will be available for download on iOS and Android. We know you will need time to get it sorted, so the current app will continue to work until the end of the year. #StartingAJourney] (Tweet) (in Welsh). Retrieved 18 February 2020 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "Transport for Wales rail services to be nationalised". BBC News. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Passenger journeys by train operating company – Table 12.12 | ORR Data Portal". dataportal.orr.gov.uk.
  9. ^ "Rail operator shortlist revealed" (Press release). Welsh Government. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2018. Four bidders have been selected to progress to the next stage in the procurement process to operate rail services in Wales and the Borders from October 2018 as well take forward key aspects of the next stage of Metro.
  10. ^ a b "Wales & Borders bidders asked to propose Metro options". Railway Gazette International. Sutton: DVV Media Group. 13 October 2016. ISSN 0373-5346. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Arriva pulls out of Wales & Borders franchise contest". International Railway Journal. Falmouth: Simmons-Boardman Publishing. 30 October 2017. ISSN 0744-5326.
  12. ^ "Arriva Trains Wales drops out of Welsh rail franchise bid". BBC News. BBC. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2018. The firm that runs most of Wales' rail network has pulled out of the contest to continue running it from 2018. Arriva has said Arriva Trains Wales was "no longer participating in the Wales and Borders competition", adding it had "not been an easy decision".
  13. ^ "Abellio ends rail bid after Carillion collapse". BBC News. BBC. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018. One of the three remaining bidders for the next Wales and Borders rail franchise has pulled out. Abellio Rail Cymru (ARC) said it had been unable to overcome the collapse of its partner construction company, Carillion. Its exit from the process leaves just MTR and KeolisAmey bidding to run the franchise, which will operate the South Wales Metro.
  14. ^ "Abellio pulls out of Wales & Borders bidding". International Railway Journal. Falmouth: Simmons-Boardman Publishing. 23 February 2018. ISSN 0744-5326.
  15. ^ "Wales' rail and metro franchise to be run by Keolis Amey". BBC News. BBC. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018. A £5bn contract to run Wales' rail service for the next 15 years has been awarded to two European firms, who will run it jointly. France's Keolis and Spanish-owned Amey's bid triumphed over a rival offer from Hong Kong's MTR commuter railways. It will also drive forward the south Wales Metro in Cardiff and the valleys.
  16. ^ "Train operator Keolis Amey fined £2.3m for poor performance". Western Mail. 9 January 2020.
  17. ^ a b c "Transport for Wales 'breaks Welsh language rules'". 7 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  18. ^ Written Statement: Future of Rail update Welsh Government 22 October 2020
  19. ^ "Transport for Wales rail services to be nationalised". BBC News. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  20. ^ Welsh Government takes control of franchise The Railway Magazine issue 1436 November 2020 page 6
  21. ^ Train Times. Transport for Wales Rail.
  22. ^ a b "What this means for Mid and South West Wales". tfw.gov.wales. Transport for Wales. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  23. ^ a b c d "What's Happening In South East Wales". tfw.gov.wales. Transport for Wales. Retrieved 30 September 2018. overhead electric, battery and diesel
  24. ^ "What's Happening in North Wales". tfw.gov.wales. Transport for Wales]. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  25. ^ "Transport for Wales rebrand gets underway on the Wrexham to Bidston line". deeside.com. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  26. ^ Graeme [@That_Train_Guy] (13 July 2019). "Another One Bites the Dust! Ex- @LNER Mark IV coaching stock 'BN29' passing Biggleswade with 66735 'Peterborough United' providing the power as 5Z91 0858 Bounds Green T&R.S.M.D to Worksop Down Yard. The train was running 42 minutes late" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 February 2020 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "What's Happening in South West and Mid Wales". tfw.gov.wales. Transport for Wales. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  28. ^ "What's Happening in the Borders". tfw.gov.wales. Transport for Wales. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  29. ^ "£4m promised for new railway station". BBC News. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  30. ^ Llemiles (8 August 2019), English: Former Class 319 Cheriton (unit 319008), destined to be a British Rail Class 769 at Cardiff Canton Depot. Awaiting final modifications before entering service with Transport for Wales Rail Services., retrieved 5 September 2019
  31. ^ "South Wales Metro". tfw.gov.wales. Transport for Wales. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  32. ^ a b c "Extra capacity and improved trains for rail passengers across Wales and the borders". Transport For Wales News. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  33. ^ "Extra trains arrive for Transport for Wales". Transport For Wales News. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  34. ^ Rail, Trafnidiaeth Cymru Trenau Transport for Wales (2 January 2019). "Hi Stuart, we're due to get 5 additional 153 units arriving from GWR by May, we're also getting class 769 flex trains this year and 3 sets of Mark 4 carriages from LNER. Then in the future, we're having new trains built ^Joy". @tfwrail. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  35. ^ "More '769s' on their way to Wales". RAIL Magazine. No. 872. Bauer Media. 13 February 2019.
  36. ^ Rail, Trafnidiaeth Cymru Trenau Transport for Wales (6 July 2019). "Hi Chris, we already have some class 769 units and they are currently in our depots undergoing maintenance for compliance issues ^Cam". @tfwrail. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
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  38. ^ "One Year In". tfwrail.wales. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
  39. ^ Railway Gazette (24 December 2019). "TfW Mark 3s' dispensation end date is June 30th".
  40. ^ uk_railways (24 July 2020). "47813 taking 11 ex-TfW Mk3s for storage". Instagram.
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  43. ^ Clark, Rhodri (23 April 2020). "Concern about '197' interior spec". Modern Railways. Key Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
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  45. ^ "CAF commences design and engineering on DMUs for Wales and Borders franchise". Rail Technology Magazine. Cognitive Publishing. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  46. ^ "STADLER TO DELIVER 71 NEW TRAINS FOR WALES & BORDERS". Press Release. Stadler Rail AG. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
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Media related to Transport for Wales (Keolis Amey) at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by Operator of Wales & Borders franchise
2018–2021 		Succeeded by
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